Licensed Centre Based Child Care

Interviewing and Selecting Information

Initial Contact
It is a good idea to get in contact with the Child Care Facility by phone and get some basic information. Possible questions to ask are:

• Supervisor’s name
• Address
• What is the centre’s philosophy?
• What are the hours of operation?
• Do you operate year round?
• I have a child who is ____ years old. Do you have any openings for my child starting on (date)?
• If not, how long is your waiting list? How does your waiting list work?
• What do you charge per week (day or hour)? Am I charged if my child is unable to attend?
• Do I pay regular fees for statutory holidays? How many unpaid vacation days do you allow?

Make arrangements to visit the child care facility

For the initial visit you may choose not to take your child(ren) with you while you tour the centre. However, visit again with your child(ren) during program hours, before you make the final decision. This provides an opportunity for you to see how staff responds to children and a chance for your child to see the situation and give you some feedback. Trust your instincts. What do you see, hear, and smell? If you have concerns, ask the supervisor or perhaps continue to look at other Centers. You best know your child’s and your families’ needs, so it is important that you feel comfortable. You are purchasing a service, and because they will be caring for your child(ren), you want to be fully satisfied and comfortable that your child will be left in capable hands. Take a pencil and paper and write down information, so that you can refer to it later.

The following are possible questions to ask:

About the Child Care Centre:

• What education and experience does the staff have? What are the minimum qualifications for staff? How many staff have first aid?
• How many children are there in the centre? How many children would be in the same group as my child what is their age range?
• What is the child/teacher ratio for my child's age group?
• Do you have any written information, such as policies, annual reports, or parent handbooks you could send me?
• Are there any restrictions/conditions on your license?

*Be sure to ask any other questions necessary to decide whether or not you want to make a visit (ex. Special diet, behaviour management practices, etc.)

About their Operating Procedures and Daily Routines:

• What kind of activities and toys do you provide for children? (E.g. learning activities and games, stories, crafts, outdoor play)
• What is the daily routine for the children in my child’s group?
• What is the practice regarding nap times? Where will my child sleep? What happens if my child doesn't want to sleep? Does he/she have his/her own bedding?
• How much and what kind of T.V. programming do you permit?
• What is your policy on drop in visits?
• Will my child have one primary caregiver?
• What methods of communication with parents do you use to communicate what has happened in my child’s day? What other communication tools do you use?
• Is there anything I need to supply for my child's care?
• How much time do you spend outdoors?

Operating Procedure:

• Is there a parents' committee?
• Have you had any serious occurrences in the past year? (a serious occurrence is an event that must be reported to the Ministry, such as a child requiring medical treatment, escaping from the Centre, etc. Ask them to specify what kind of a serious occurrence occurred.
• Under what circumstances would you call me at work?
• How much notice is required for termination?
• May I see your license, annual report, written guidelines or policies?
• May I have the names of two current or former parents as references?

Health:

• Are weekly menus for meals and snacks posted? How closely do you follow it? How do you accommodate children with allergy concerns?
• What measures will you take to ensure a clean and healthy environment? (E.g. hand washing, food storage, toy disinfecting)
• What is your policy regarding a child who is ill or convalescing?

- What is the Child Care Registry
- Parent Information
- Child Care Provider Information
- Unlicensed Child Care Provider Registration
- Parent Waiver and Instructions
- Caregiver Waiver and Instructions